Design Clash: Gulf Craft 111 vs Ocean Alexander 30R

Like all industries, there are a lot of copiers. Some very good at it. I see much from the Turkey builders. Nothing wrong with imitation if you can build a good product at a more competitive price and reach more customers.

I grew up in NC in the middle of the furniture and apparel industries. One of the most successful furniture manufacturers was often joked about and it was said their research and development department was made up of a few people with cameras. However, they could take competitor's designs and still almost beat them to market. In Apparel in the US, it was shop European markets and know we ran behind. In fact, it got easier, no reason to go to Europe, just shop Montreal.

I have seen so much laughter over recent years over some of Sunseeker's designs. Yet, now I see similar from nearly every Chinese and Turkish builder. Those windows everyone made fun of, now everyone has.

In boats with builders like OA who didn't traditionally own yards, often the yards they used were the first to copy. Reality is there are not that many things to do with boat designs and we're in a copycat world.

Sure, I see it. The devil is in the details as is usually the case.

Olderboater brings up copycat in terms of product. I sure see it in eyewear. Just on look at the design of Warby Parker eyeglasses an you will find Tom Ford, RayBan, and many other copies. Now try to mount a lens in the knock off, and then adjust it properly to the human skull and you find out what you have.

As for these two yachts, I wonder what the details would tell us about Gulf Craft vs. OA. I have no idea but I wonder if buyers even wonder such things.

I do know there is a product or knock off of said product for everyone.

I remember back in the 1980's I had to have Vaurnet sunglasses asap when I had my first job. I knew folks that were fine with Phonets. Pho as in phony. Vaurnet or Phonet? Whatcha guuna do?